The world's leading English-language source for weekly news on professional baseball in Mexico, where there's no such thing as an off-season. Questions? Comments? Email us at BaseballMexico@live.com.

Monday, August 16, 2010

VENADOS REPLACE GM VALDEZ WITH ANDRES CRUZ

The Mazatlan Venados have replaced general manager Jesus “Chino” Valdez with former pitcher Andres Cruz. The Venados are one of Mexico’s most successful baseball organizations, and Valdez received the Mexican Pacific League’s GM of the Year award a year ago. However, Valdez has been shifted to scouting duties by team president Jose Luis Martinez to make room for Cruz, who pitched for the Deer in the 1990’s.

“This is something we’d been thinking about for some time,” Martinez said. “We are looking for the best production from each person in their area so everyone has time to give more than 100 percent.”

The Venados also named journalist Jorge Lechuga as the team’s first media relations officer. Lechuga has been a beat writer covering both the Culiacan Tomateros and Saltillo Saraperos, and handled public relations for the Laguna Vaqueros in the past.